Heralding a new beginning for the Volkswagen group in India, Volkswagen previewed the long awaited India-specific MQB A0 IN platform based ‘Taigun’ days before the 2020 Delhi Auto Expo is set to begin. The India specific platform has allowed Volkswagen to create a mass-market SUV aimed at a segment that has seen rapid growth in India. The mid-size Taigun will share a number of components and its underpinnings with the Vision IN concept that Skoda showcased at the event and will follow the Taigun to the market in late 2021. A range of new cars are also expected to be based on the platform in the near future.
Although the Taigun is technically a concept, it is close to production and we can expect it to hit our roads later this year or early next year. Visually, it shares much of its design with the popular T-Cross SUV that’s available internationally. However, the India-spec SUV is longer for added legroom and has additional ground clearance. An abundance of chrome is seen too, reflecting Indian sensibilities.
VW is expected to lavish creature comforts and tech on the inside of the Taigun. A digital instrument cluster, large 8.0-inch touchscreen and connected tech are expected. The VW SUV will also come loaded to the gills with safety equipment.
The production-spec Taigun is expected to be powered by 1.0 TSI & 1.5 petrol engines with a DSG gearbox option. VW hopes to acheive 92-95% localisation. No diesel engines will be available. The VW Group’s India 2.0 project promised lower costs with higher localisation and that is expected to reflect in the Taigun’s pricing.
The Taigun is expected to undercut the Hyundai Creta on pricing and will be positioned between the compact and mid-size SUV segments.